Houston 92, Atlanta 69

Yao scored 23 points -- including seven during a pivotal
third-quarter run -- and blocked a season-high five shots to lead
the Rockets to a 92-69 victory over the Atlanta Hawks Wednesday
night.

"We are only 6-6 at home, that's not good," Yao said.
"Somebody had to take control of the game because we've got to
improve at home.

Yao's 11 third-quarter points equaled the Hawks' total, the best
defensive period by the Rockets this season.

"It's everybody's responsibility to take control," Yao said.
"Tonight, I just got hot."

It was the biggest blowout of the season for Houston, which won
for the fourth time in five games. The Hawks have lost three
straight games, and nine of their last 11.

McGrady led Houston in scoring with 25 points. It was the sixth
time this season that Yao and McGrady have each scored 20 or more
in a game.

"Coach is giving me the freedom to go out there and play and
that is what I am doing now," McGrady said. "I can get it going
at any given time. If I see that we are struggling offensively,
then that's when I like to take over."

Houston scored 16 straight in the first quarter to take a 18-6
lead, with Jackson scoring seven during the run.

The Hawks chipped away at the Houston lead, cutting the deficit
to 39-36 late in the second period before things got out of hand.

Game notes

Houston activated guard Tyronn Lue and placed guard Reece
Gaines on the injured list. Gaines has left ankle tendinitis ...
Yao is the only Rockets to start all 22 games this season ...
Jackson has hit at least one 3-pointer in his last 21 games, two
games shy of the Houston record for the most consecutive games with
a 3-pointer.